-
10 Questions with ... John Waller
September 1, 2014
Have an opinion? Add your comment below. -
BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:
Discography:
- 1996 According To John
- 2001 Beyond What I See
- 2007 The Blessing
- 2009 While I'm Waiting
- 2011 As For Me And My House
- 2014 Life Is A Gift
1. Brief History / synopsis
I was born in College Park Ga. I was raised in a christian home with parents who had a love for music. They would sing folk music together such as Peter, Paul and Mary so I developed an early appreciation for great music. I was a bit of an awkward, insecure kid in school...VERY skinny and self conscience about it. The only real jobs I've had in my life have been with Chickfila (and I've done everything there is to do at a Chickfila) and a worship pastor. My current home-town is Senoia, GA. (Home of AMC's The Walking Dead). My wife and I have been married 19 years with a total of 9 children.
2. What does a normal day at home look like for you?
My Josee and I get up around 6:15 and get our 4 girls to school. They attend a private Christian school. We get our youngest 3 boys settled with chocolate milk, cereal and bottle. Then I make a pot of coffee. I think I enjoy making it as much as drinking it. We then attempt to spend time with the Lord in spite of the distracting demands of a 5, 3 and 1 year old. Our 17 and 16 year old boys get up around 9 and we get them going on their home school. After that I return emails and try to figure out how I'm gonna keep providing for all these kids. Josee and I try to work out just about every day. No need in getting old before you have to. After that we start preparing for what we going to cook for dinner, make sure kids take care of their areas of the home so order can remain, then get them to bed..... whew! And then do it again the next day.
3. What's the song that you just can't get out of your head right now?
A song called "Rude". Wow.. what an amazingly clever lyric about a guy who is determined to marry this girl and REALLY wants the approval of his would be father-in-law. It's song writing at it's best.
4. How much do you travel, what are the challenges? How do you juggle life on the road with wanting to be home?
I travel mostly on the weekends and I'm home during the week. I'm even home on some weekends. I've always believed God was in charge of my schedule. There are seasons when I'm really busy and others when I'm at home so much that I wonder if I'll ever travel again. Ha! The biggest challenge is for my wife to take care of all our kids without me there to help, though I will say our older kids are amazing at helping and caring for the little ones. I love what I do but I HATE leaving my family. My favorite part of what I do is coming home to them.
5. What's the biggest "God moment" that you've ever experienced, personal or professional?
I've had so many big God moments in my life that I don't understand how I could ever doubt Him again. (but I still I do sometimes). My 2 favorite God moments are:
A. when I had been waiting 15 years for my dream of a national music platform to be realized....God gave a song that will forever cement that moment. A few weeks after I wrote that song about waiting on the Lord, He came through in HUGE effortless way. It took so long and then when it happened, it happened so fast it made my head spin!! "While I'm Waiting" went on to be my biggest song to date.
B. when I dreamed about my adopted daughter Anna before I knew she even existed.
6. What's the last book you read?
"Free to Live" by John Eldridge. It is all about the utter relief of holiness.
7. How did you become a believer. What caused you to want to serve God in full time ministry?
Though I grew up in church I didn't truly begin to follow Christ until I was a Senior in high school. I discovered Christian music as a source to keep me built up and encouraged. Stephen Curtis became my mentor from afar. When I discovered his music, I told God if there is one thing I could do in this life...it would be to write and sing songs that could do for others what Stephen's music did for me. I've been doing it ever since, though I will say it's never looked how I thought it would.
8. Take us thru a couple songs on your latest project.
The name of the record is "Life is a Gift". I actually wrote this song with my son Baylee. Our first co-write. It's just a celebration of everything good that makes up the life we've been given by His love, mercy and grace. Especially the gift of a child. My favorite song is "Crazy Faith". Every great story of faith is a crazy one that doesn't work on paper. The song tells the journey of us stepping out to adopt 3 children, something we could have never done in our own abilities or resources. The song will connect with anyone who has or is about to step out and trust God to catch them.
9. What organization/service group are you affiliated with?
I have been involved with Cross International for a few years. What I love about Cross is that they provide one year scholarship programs for children in need around the world. These scholarships provide the child with life saving food and education for a whole year for a one time donation of $110. I find that it a no brainer, easy sell for people to donate one time versus monthly. Though I have done both and been involved with amazing organizations that do monthly child sponsorships. I just feel we all have to do our part to care for orphans and children in distress.
10. Person you'd most like to have a discussion with, living or dead.....Deities are excused from this question
Barack Obama. I would just like to know what he truly believes, what his true goal for this nation is, and what he'd do if no one opposed him.
Bonus Questions
1. Favorite Bible Verse....life verse. Why?
John 10:10 "A thief comes to steal, kill, and destroy. But I came to give life-life that is full and good." I like this because it keeps me aware that my enemy is ever present trying to destroy me, so I cannot let my guard down....and that abundant life is always available to me every waking moment.
2. Funniest or most embarrassing moment on the road?
It was back when I was still in According to John. We were at a festival at Six Flags in New York. Like idiots we decided we were going to empty the septic tank of our 40ft RV in the upper parking lot of the park before we drove away because it was stinking so bad. My guitar player, Jason Hoard, (not to incriminate anyone!) got out and pulled the lever and then heard someone yell...HEY!!!!! 2 security guys on a golf cart were beaming towards us and Jason yelled..."GO GO GO!!!" I floored the gas and it barely accelerated...but we did manage to get away. We never did get asked to do that festival again.
3. What artist or pastor has had the greatest impact on you, and why?
Stephen Curtis Chapman modeled how to bare ones heart through song-writing, and I would say that as an artist he helped shape the direction for my ministry more than anyone else.
-
-